Men in Black II (2002)

Director:

Barry Sonnenfeld

Writers (WGA):

Lowell Cunningham (comic book "Malibu Comics")
Robert Gordon (story)

Release Date:

3 July 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Same Planet. New Scum.

Plot:

Agent J needs help so he is sent to find Agent K and restore his memory.

Plot Keywords:

End Of The World | Pug Dog | High Tech | Planet | Spaceship

Awards:

2 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Tommy Lee Jones	...	Kevin Brown, Agent Kay
Will Smith	...	Agent Jay
Rip Torn	...	Zed
Lara Flynn Boyle	...	Serleena
Johnny Knoxville	...	Scrad / Charlie
Rosario Dawson	...	Laura Vasquez
Tony Shalhoub	...	Jack Jeebs
Patrick Warburton	...	Agent Tee
Jack Kehler	...	Ben
David Cross	...	Newton
Colombe Jacobsen-Derstine	...	Hailey (as Colombe Jacobsen)
Peter Spellos	...	Captain Larry Bridgewater, The Motorman
Michael Rivkin	...	Man with Harvey, the Dog
Michael Bailey Smith	...	Creepy
Lenny Venito	...	New York Guy

Also Known As:

MIB 2 (USA) (promotional abbreviation)
MIIB (USA) (promotional abbreviation)
Men in Black 2 (USA) (alternative spelling)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence and some provocative humor.

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Denmark:11 | Malaysia:U | Canada:G (Quebec) | Iceland:LH (video rating) | South Africa:PG | Iceland:10 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Austria:10 | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:MG6 | New Zealand:PG | Norway:11 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Spain:7 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 (certificate #38095)

Filming Locations:

Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Amblin Entertainment

Trivia:

The extra head attached to Johnny Knoxville's character is called a 'symbiote,' and was first developed in the Men In Black animated series. It is the only development of the animated series to be carried over into the movies.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Agent K is fighting a ball-chinnian in Jack Jeebs' basement, the rubber mask material at the base of the face mask (right at the top of the scarf/sweater he is wearing) is exposed as he pulls down the scarf/collar.

Quotes:

Agent J: [points to Kevin Brown, Agent K] No.
[points to Frank]
Agent J: No.
[ponts to Zed]
Agent J: And Hell no.

Movie Connections:

References "The Mind of the Married Man" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Planet of the Wolves

Better and Worse Than the First

Men In Black II is one of the truly unique films in that it is both better and worse than the original. I admire the risks taken to make this movie more interesting but at the same time it bombs in some of its overly cute lines and plot-ploys. I laughed heartedly in spots, more than I have in a while, but that other times, I could only shake my head at how dumb and flat some of the one-line moments were. One fascinating directing, script technique that is rarely seen in a comedy is the use of silence, the prolonged pause and the use of facial expressions, and the moment to carry the scene. This approach usually worked in this movie, which I think is saying a lot because it is extremely difficult to pull off successfully most of the time and it takes good acting and directing to do it. There was more tender moments in this movie than the original - better serious, moments. Both actors were great in their acting, acting in the difficult parts where body and facial expression counted more than dialogue. There were times that Wil Smith never completed his lines, but with great success. I would have to say overall, Men In Black II wasn't a great movie, but it was entertaining, interesting, took risks, and broke new comedic ground in bringing back real comedy and one-liners that sometimes died, but just as well, were brilliant. A great worthwhile attempt. A must for home video or should I say DVD now.